The island of Taiwan lies on the Tropic of Cancer, 180 km off the southeastern coast of China. The eastern two-thirds of the island consists mostly of rugged mountains. Gently rolling plains in the west are home to most of the population. Taiwan’s is the world’s fourth-highest island with 6 peaks over 3,500m (including its highest mountain: Yu Shan – the mountain of Jade Mountain at 3,952 m).

The climate is marine tropical. The northern part of the island experiences a rainy season from January through late March while the entire island experiences hot, humid weather from June through September. The rest of the island does not have an extended monsoon season during the winter months. Typhoons are most frequent from July through October.

The shape of the main island of Taiwan, also known as Formosa is similar to a sweet potato seen in a south-to-north direction, therefore Taiwanese often call themselves children of the Sweet Potato.